Sonny's Blues Analysis

The story of Sonny’s Blues is the account of one musician’s struggle while going through life, and the choices he has made, which alters his older brother’s perspective of him, and the music scene Sonny is associated with . Music has a major influence on both the brothers, and their attitude on how they perceive life. Sonny started showing an interest in music at a young age, which molded him into the man he has become, and affected his life choices he has made. Some of the choices made were very poor decisions, but copes with them with his music. Sonny’s older brother cannot understand his brother’s passion in music and is quick to pass judgment on him for doing so, and where he has ended up. Everything changes however, once he attends a live …show more content…
Looking back on the two brother’s reconnection they shared at their mother’s funeral, Sonny was defending his dream of becoming a jazz musician to his brother and says “Everything takes time, and well sure I can make a living at it, but you need to understand this is the only thing I want to do [Baldwin 574]”. For Sonny to being saying such a bold statement, at an age where he has not even finished his schooling yet, shows the passion and determination Sonny has for music. Imagine if John Lennon did not follow his passion for music, and The Beatles were never formed, which means the 1964 “Summer of Love” would have never sparked the hippie movement, which means Woodstock would have never happened. All of these events are a part of our history and cultural heritage sparked by a domino effect from one musician, and Sonny could be that one musician so his passion and determination is important and needed for anyone try to succeed in the music business. Sonny’s brother notices him across the street listening to a church revival meeting, and once Sonny came into the house he told his brother “the lady’s voice who was singing out there reminded him how heroin feels in your veins, hot and cold, distant and sure, yet in control, and sometimes that is needed when playing [Baldwin 581]”. By telling his brother this he is giving some insight on why he uses, and the role …show more content…
Sonny referred back to the lady singing in the street and said “While listening to that woman sing it struck me how much suffering she must have had to go through to sing like that, and it is repulsive to think how much one has to suffer [Baldwin 582]”. Sonny can relate to this woman singing, he can feel her struggles and pains by the soul that is felt through her voice. He understands there is no way for one not to suffer, however if a person puts passion into something they love, like Sonny does in his music, it helps them enjoy life, and it makes the suffering that life tends to hand out more bearable. Once the two brothers made it to the night club, and Sonny took the stage, Sonny’s passion, pain, suffering, and soul came out of him. Sonny has not touched a piano in over a year, and was evident in their first set, but something happened once they started playing a classic jazz tune, Creole and Sonny had a connection through the music and then they all came together, and Sonny was part of the family again [Baldwin 586]. Even though Sonny was unpracticed and had some trouble getting back in touch with his musician side, he eventually felt that connection with his bandmates. A completely silent connection that only the musicians on stage can connect with, hence a family he can connect with that